Five Hornets were named to the 2017 preseason All-MEAC Second Team, while five others received All-MEAC Third Team recognition, in voting by league head coaches and sports information directors announced today.

Topping Delaware State’s All-MEAC preseason honorees are running back Mike Waters, a 2016 All-MEAC Third Team selection. Waters was also selected as HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-America after finishing third in the MEAC in rushing with a DSU freshman record 820 yards (74.5 ypg) last season. His rookie season was also highlighted by a Hornet freshman record 224-yard performance vs. Howard in last year’s finale.

Rutherford, also a 2016 All-MEAC Third Team selection, was fourth in the league in receiving yards (51.4 pg) and fifth in receptions (3.8 pg) in 2016.

Harris was tops on the Hornets and sixth in the MEAC in tackles (7.5 pg) as a junior last season. He has led the team in tackles in each of the last two years.

Fala and Pedro helped pave the way for two of the MEAC top five rushers in 2016. The duo was also key to the Hornets’ No. 6 MEAC ranking in rushing yards (128.4 ypg) last season, the team’s best showing in eight years.

South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard (r-sr.) was selected as the 2017 MEAC Preseason Defensive Player-of-the-Year, while Howard running back Anthony Philyaw (sr.) earned top offensive player honors.